893.248/5–2048

The Chinese Ambassador (Koo) to the Secretary of State

The Chinese Ambassador presents his compliments to the Secretary of State and has the honor to refer to the Memorandum of the Embassy to the Department dated April 12, 1948, transmitting the request of the Chinese Government for the implementation of the 8⅓ Group Program for the Chinese Air Force.

The Ambassador wishes to inform the Secretary that the Chinese Government is urgently in need of the various types of aircraft as indicated in the said Memorandum and will deeply appreciate it if the United States Government would find it feasible to make them available to China, together with the undelivered ammunition, spare [Page 65] parts and spare engines under the Program, at the earliest practicable date.

It is sincerely hoped that the Secretary would, in conjunction with the other departments concerned, give favorable consideration to the request of the Chinese Government as conveyed in the said Memorandum and would make arrangements to have the fighter planes delivered to China at a base in the Pacific under the control of the United States authorities.